• Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) will ask voters to approve a request for an additional 1 mill in property taxes for their operating budget. 1 mill is one dollar for every $1000 of assessed value of the property.
• The median assessed value for homesteaded property in Charlotte County is $113,495. After the homestead exemption is removed, the value is $88,495, the referendum charge would be $89 per year, $7.42 per month.
• The district has been careful with their resources, good stewards of your tax dollars. They have been “making do” with less for many years. Rising costs, unfunded mandates, and a declining enrollment have left the school district unable to provide competitive wages or provide all the educational programs of an excellent school district.
• The district has cut 15% of non-school based positions, left positions open or unfilled, cut teaching positions, and reduced materials used and it has hurt student achievement.
• Students are required to “pay to play” in athletics and extracurricular activities.
• Our school district educates our local workforce, the folks who draw your blood at the lab, rotate your tires, provide safety and security as deputies, firemen and paramedics. The better their education, the better they can serve us. The district wants to provide our community with a highly skilled workforce. We also want students who will attend university, college, and technical schools to be well prepared.
• The referendum will supply about $17 million in operating revenue each year. Approximately $5-7 million will go towards competitive salaries, approximately $5 million will be spent on additional instructional time and $3 million will provide additional school security and support educational enhancements such as paraprofessionals, math and reading coaches, art, music, drama, STEM, literacy initiatives and athletics. The remainder will be held in reserve.
• There will be a citizen oversight committee that will monitor the spending of referendum dollars and report to local taxpayers.
• Sarasota County has had additional operating dollars from a referendum that passed in 2002 and recently passed for another 4 years.
• Sarasota County credits the referendum dollars as “a major reason Sarasota County Schools are recognized as the best in Florida”.
• Charlotte County is unable to compete with Sarasota County for employees as their pay is significantly greater. Sarasota starting teacher salary is $42,000 Charlotte is $38,233. We need to increase employee pay to compete for new employees and keep the excellent employees we have.
• As our county and local businesses work to attract new employees, one of the first questions asked is, “How are the schools”? We must have a great school system to support the economic growth of our community.
• As we bring new businesses and expand the existing businesses, our tax base grows, reducing the percentage of the tax burden on homeowners.
• The backbone of a strong community is a strong school system. The quality of education in our community directly affects your quality of life.
• Studies have shown a connection between quality school programs and reduced crime rates. Increased labor market skills through education effects wages and increased wages decreases crime.
• Your vote can make a difference!